Friday, February 17, 2017

Update: White House Denies Plan to Militarize Raids—Do We Believe It?

“That is 100% not true. It is false,” White House press secretarySean Spicertold the media pool aboard Air
Force One today, the Associated Press says in an update
to an earlier
report that the administration is considering a plan to employ up to 100,000
National Guard troops in sweeps of unauthorized immigrants. “There is no effort
at all to round up, to utilize the National Guard to round up illegal
immigrants,” Spicer went on, but “he couldn’t deny altogether that the subject
had ever been discussed in the administration,” according to AP.Later in the morning a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Vox that the memo was an early draft that was never “seriously considered.” Vox also published the full text of the memo, which Vox reporter Dara Lind said was “still under consideration in some form.”

It’s worth noting that the Department of Homeland Security, which enforces immigration laws, is now headed by retired general John Kelly. It could be significant that the last general to head the immigration enforcement apparatus was Joseph Swing, the architect of “Operation Wetback.”

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About The Politics of Immigration

The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers is a book that goes beyond soundbites to tackle concerns about immigration in straightforward language and an accessible question-and-answer format. For immigrants and supporters, the book is a useful tool to confront stereotypes and disinformation. For those who are undecided about immigration, it lays out the facts and clear reasoning they need to develop an informed opinion. Ideal for classroom use, the updated and expanded 2017 edition provides a succinct overview of U.S. immigration history, policy, and practice, with detailed notes guiding readers toward further exploration.
Guskin and Wilson have written extensively on immigration and facilitated dozens of dialogues on the topic with students, community activists, congregations, and other public audiences. To arrange a dialogue or for more information, contact them at thepoliticsofimmigration@gmail.com.
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